Long-Standing Friendship
Tap an underlined Tamil word to explore its sound, meaning, and use.
ellaikka ṇiṉṟār tuṟavār tolaiviṭattun / tollaikka ṇiṉṟār toṭarpu.
“Who stand within the bounds quit not, though loss impends, / Association with the old familiar friends.”
“The perfect friend giveth not up the friend of his heart even though he hath been the cause of his ruin.”
Those who stay within friendship’s proper bounds will not abandon the bond of a friend who has stood with them from of old, even when loss comes through that friend.
Ask about this Kural
Answers are drawn only from this Kural's sourced text and named commentary, and always cite what they used.
Choose a section
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
எல்லைக்கண் நின்றார்= நட்பு வரம்பு இகவாது அதன்கண்ணே நின்றவர்; தொல்லைக்கண் நின்றார் தொடர்பு தொலைவிடத்தும் துறவார்= தம்மொடு பழைமையில் திரியாது நின்றாரது நட்பினை அவரால் தொலைவு வந்த இடத்தும் விடார்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Those who stand steadfast within the noble boundaries of friendship will never abandon an old companion, even when substantial loss is suffered on their account.